DANIA BEACH, Fla. – A boat explosion and fire at a Dania Beach marina left one man dead and four others in critical condition late Friday afternoon, Broward fire officials said.
Dispatch records show that fire rescue crews were sent to Nautical Ventures Marina & Service Center, located at 4470 Anglers Ave., just after 4:35 p.m.
The marina is just west of Interstate 95 and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
According to a spokesperson for Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue, the 50-foot boat was brand new and had just arrived for a boat show when it exploded while being fueled, leading to an “immediate and intense fire.”
Amanda Locascio, who works at a nearby restaurant, said the explosion “kind of shook the whole restaurant and we all just ran out wondering what happened.”
“You could feel it down in your chest almost, but it was a very, very loud explosion,” she said.
BSFR Battalion Chief Michael Kane said that it appeared that “during the refueling process to ready the boat, there was an ignition source that caused an explosion.”
“The injuries received would be consistent with an explosive-type injury,” he said.
Video from Sky 10 showed the boat on a trailer as firefighters worked to put out the flames.
It later showed medics loading one victim into an ambulance and the deceased victim’s body covered by a yellow tarp.
Authorities have not publicly identified any victims.
“It was not immediately known if the injured personnel were marina employees,” a BSFR news release states. “The cause of the explosion and fire is currently under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.”